Gannett to spin off publishing business

Gannett, the owner of USA TODAY, said Tuesday that it will create two publicly traded companies as it moves to separate its broadcasting and digital businesses from its publishing division, a strategic move similarly adopted by competitors to shield more profitable business lines from the decline in print advertising.

"The bold actions we are announcing today are significant next steps in our ongoing initiatives to increase shareholder value by building scale, increasing cash flow, sharpening management focus, and strengthening all of our businesses to compete effectively in today's increasingly digital landscape," said Gracia Martore, Gannett's CEO said in a statement.

The broadcasting and digital company, which will be renamed and headed by Martore, will own or provide services to 46 television stations and operate several websites -- CareerBuilder.com and Cars.com -- that are not tied to newspapers. Gannett also said Tuesday that it will buy all of Cars.com shares it doesn't already own from Classified Ventures, totaling about 73%, for $1.8. billion in cash, and the move nearly doubles its digital business.

The planned spinoff of the publishing business, including USA TODAY, 81 other daily newspapers and their affiliated websites, will be implemented through a tax-free distribution of its publishing assets to shareholders. The publishing business, which will retain the name Gannett, will be "virtually debt-free" after the separation as the broadcasting and digital company will retain the existing debt.

Gannett said it anticipates the initial combined dividend of the two companies "will not be less than" Gannett's current 20 cents per share issued quarterly.

Investors, who have speculated for months on Gannett separating its print assets, cheered the move. Shares of the company rose 6.35% on pre-market trading Tuesday morning to $36.50.

In the past two years, Martore has been deliberately accumulating new businesses in Gannett's broadcasting and digital units to diversify the company and convince shareholders and analysts that it's more than a collection of newspapers.

Last year, Gannett bought competitor Belo for $2.2 billion to double the number of TV stations it owns or operates.

"These transformative transactions will give both the publishing company and the broadcasting and digital company enhanced strategic, operating, financial, and regulatory flexibility to pursue growth and consolidation opportunities in their respective markets," Martore said.